Sixth Judicial District Attorney Michael R. Renteria announced the conviction of Fidel Miramontes on the charge of Criminal Sexual Contact of a Minor under the age of 13 in a case that was presented to a Luna County jury on April 30, 2024. According to court documents, Miramontes was accused of inappropriately touching a 10 year old girl while the girl was visiting his home off Voorhies Road, south of Deming, in 2019. The child disclosed the abuse to Bataan Elementary School personnel about two years later. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys Edna Reyes and Arthur Van Haselen III. According to a press release issued by Renteria, the child testified before the jury, and upon the completion of the case, the jury returned a guilty verdict in less than 15 minutes. “My prosecutors strongly believed in the victim, and prosecuted the case largely on her testimony. The jury believed her too,” Renteria said. “In my office, we have worked hard on issues and cases involving the abuse of children, and this case shows some of the results of our efforts.” A sentencing hearing will be set before District Court Judge Jarod K. Hofacket who presided over the trial. According to the press release, Miramontes was convicted of a second-degree felony, which carries a minimum sentence of three years in prison and a maximum of 15 years, followed by two years of parole and lifetime sex offender registration.
